The teenage Man Utd goal machine who could be promoted this season

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 11 Jul 2023 08:56 CDT
• 3 min read

Manchester United have yet to sign a long-term replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, but they might not have to if academy graduate Joe Hugill meets expectations.

Erik ten Hag wants a world class No.9 to take the goalscoring burden off Marcus Rashford, who scored 30 in all competitions last season but prefers lining up on the left wing.

Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen were understood to be among United's top targets ahead of the summer transfer window, but FFP rules meant the Red Devils started with a £120 million budget, most of which has been spent on Mason Mount and Andre Onana.

READ: Why Man Utd have FFP problems

Hugill pictured at Carrington

"Nineteen-year-old forward Joe Hugill [is] among the options Erik ten Hag could turn to for Wednesday's friendly against Leeds," report United in Focus. "Hugill was pictured at Carrington as Manchester United trained on Monday.

"With Anthony Martial unlikely to play more than 45 minutes against Leeds, there is a good chance Hugill sees game time in the upcoming friendlies."

Hugill joined United's academy from Sunderland's in 2022 and spent the second half of last season on loan at Altrincham, alongside Sonny Aljofree and Maxi Oyedele.

READ: Five players who could leave Man Utd this summer

Although he only scored one goal in seven games for the Robins, the 19-year-old had previously shown his promise in Premier League 2, hitting 11 in 12 for United's reserves in the first half of the campaign.

Hugill will be given a chance to impress this summer on United's tour of the USA, where they will meet Real Madrid, Arsenal and Ryan Reynolds' Wrexham.

Whilst a regular starting berth in the Premier League remains unlikely for the time being, Hugill can at least take heart from the fact that fellow academy graduate Alejandro Garnacho was handed an important, if bit-part, role by Ten Hag last season.